Front right air suspension dead

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Jul 28, 2019 | 05:05 PM
  #1  
I got the dreaded ‘car too low, pullover’ warning just today. Luckily I was a half mile from my fiancé’s parents so I was able to limp it there and the front right is shot. I can hear the compressor pumping up and the 3 other corners are fine. It’s Sunday and I’m not really familiar with any shops in the area so it may not get tended to for a few days until I figure that out.

so is it fine to sit like that for a few days? Will the compressor keep kicking on or does it just do that when the doors are opened? Is it worth sliding a 2x4 under the jack point to keep the car from completely pancaking to the ground? Any tips would be greatly appreciated.


And if if anyone has a good shop close to Bergen country nj or even rockland county ny pls let me know. I’d like to just grab an arnott bag from fcp euro and have someone put it on
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Jul 28, 2019 | 09:21 PM
  #2  
It is fine to leave it. The compressor will stop when the car is left alone, you won't be driving it anyway. I wouldn't bother jacking it up unless you have some blocks to put under the strut to hold the height. Be careful with the tow truck you choose.
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Jul 29, 2019 | 07:38 AM
  #3  
Cool thanks for the reply. Yeh getting the car on the tow truck is a big concern now since I likely won’t be there when the car gets picked up
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Jul 29, 2019 | 09:12 AM
  #4  
Personally, I would try moving it without the towing blocks. If possible see what the tow guy has for moving vehicles with this issue.

Also reach out to Arnott Industries for a replacement, I know that FCP Euro also sells these front Air Struts.
I think that Rock Auto might sell them as well.
Reply 0
Jul 29, 2019 | 11:47 AM
  #5  
If you do order new Arnott struts be mindful that you will not be able to adjust the ride firmness that is adjustable with the factory struts. If you order the refurb Arnott struts then you will have that ability. Also, I would advise to replace both.
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Jul 29, 2019 | 01:06 PM
  #6  
whatever replacements you buy, just make sure you replace them in a pair of fronts or rears, or all 4.
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Jul 29, 2019 | 01:24 PM
  #7  
thanks everyone for their input. I ordered an arnott refurbished piece from fcp euro and it's being overnighted to a shop nearby and geico set me up with a flat bed to pick the car up tomorrow. i'm a little worried about the pick up and drop off being done without me being around but i'm just hoping for the best and that the tow truck driver knows what he's doing.

The car already has a pretty fresh looking arnott strut in the front left so now at least i'll match.
Reply 0
Jul 29, 2019 | 07:45 PM
  #8  
A flatbed is not good enough, I know from experience with my w211. You need a flatbed that is designed for very low cars with blown suspensions -- a break-bed or similar.
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Jul 30, 2019 | 07:46 AM
  #9  
the suspension does air up a bit and the ‘stop, car too low’ warning was intermittent so I’m hoping there’s enough travel to get the thing on the flatbed. I’ll know here soon enough...
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Jul 30, 2019 | 07:48 AM
  #10  

Not the best angle but that’s how the car sat on Sunday
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Jul 30, 2019 | 08:23 AM
  #11  
That doesn't look to bad, I thought that your car was slammed. That looks like enough clearance to get it on a flat bed. I think that you'll be okay.
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Jul 30, 2019 | 01:26 PM
  #12  
when my E63 was aired out on all 4's...i was able to get it on a flat bed, but i did scrape the bottom of my front bumper in doing so while coming off. it didn't break it, but did scrape it a good amount. good thing this was before my full repaint job.
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Jul 30, 2019 | 01:30 PM
  #13  
Quote: when my E63 was aired out on all 4's...i was able to get it on a flat bed, but i did scrape the bottom of my front bumper in doing so while coming off. it didn't break it, but did scrape it a good amount. good thing this was before my full repaint job.
That wouldn't work for me. As my car has been lowered. This CF front splitter would be dog meat afterwards.


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Jul 30, 2019 | 01:49 PM
  #14  
tow truck driver called me when he was near the car then 10 minutes later to tell me the car was on the truck so sounds like things went smoothly. i'll have to take a look at the bumper when i get the car back tonight.

can't lie, as a guy who came from japanese reliability, to no car for 8 years to amg expenses - these repairs hurt! i knew buying this car with very little maintenance records was risky and the suspension is a known issue but i guess i just hoped things would've turned out a little better. wondering if i should preemptively take care of the the rears before i'm not so lucky and get stranded in binghamton on a road trip back upstate
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Jul 30, 2019 | 02:00 PM
  #15  
Out of the three AMG's I've owned not one ever left me stranded, and a dead battery doesn't count as I had road side assistance.
But the suspension is an issue! I'm keeping my fingers crossed on my 12 yr old suspension.
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Jul 30, 2019 | 03:28 PM
  #16  
My left front just blew out last week in my parkade. Blew as soon as I got in the car and started it lol. Guess I was lucky in that sense, didn't need a tow. Got an Arnott a few days later, swapped it in the parkade, and was good to go again
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Jul 30, 2019 | 03:54 PM
  #17  
that worked out nicely! i'm in a pickle where i can really only work on this myself when i'm at my parents 5 hours away. planned maintenance isn't an issue but unexpected things like this blow. shop charged me 2 hours labor which i thought was pretty reasonable so i'll survive
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